Latest News from Te Whanau Kotahi

Te Whanau Kotahi Annual AGM
​Date of AGM: 19th of September

Time of AGM: Midday

Location of AGM meeting: Wesley Methodist Church

Invite to attend: Open to all stakeholders of the Trust to attend

Refreshments are provided

Election of Chairperson, Vice Chair and Secretary.

Aspergers Connections - New Youth Group

Jason Edgecombe is keen to start a new Youth Group, for teens, both girls and boys, 12 years plus, at the Arataki Community Centre, Mount
Maunganui, on Wednesday nights from 6.00 - 8.00 pm. Activities would include a mix of: Dungeons & Dragons (episodic adventures), sword training, meditation martial arts training, conversations and discussion around issues we face every day. A small fee would be charged on a weekly basis to cover costs.

Jason is looking at starting the group on
Wednesday the 29th of June, yet to be confirmed. If your teen is interested please mail aspergersconnections@hotmail.com, in the subject line "Interested" and mention your teen's name and age.

International rare disease research into parental support needs

PhD researcher Lemuel Pelentsov, based in Adelaide, offers an opportunity for parents of children under 18 to take part in an international online survey of parental support needs. The research aims to better understand parental support needs and improve the assessment and delivery of support.

Please consider taking part in the survey if you fit the criteria, click here.

A Parents Guide to Autism and Feeding Issues

Thriving in the Bay

Showcases what’s happening in and around the Bay of Plenty for whānau with children under 5. It provides information about services, support and activities available from Plunket and other organisations.

Our Library

At Te Whanau Kotahi we have a collection of parent help and therapy books and some DVD's. If your child is currently receiving our service please talk to your therapist as we are happy to loan these books to our families. We will feature some of our latest purchases here from time to time so check back regularly!

Every Turtle Counts

When one of earth's rarest sea turtles becomes stranded on the shores of Cape Cod, only one special child is sure it can be saved. Based on the international effort to preserve the last of the Kemp's ridley sea turtles, Every Turtle Counts is the touching story of Mimi, an autistic child whose challenges, like the turtles, are many, but whose determination is undaunted.

"... a wonderful book, deeply compassionate ... straightforward in its portrayal of a young girl with an autism spectrum disorder, and the extraordinary insights and connections she makes with the natural world. I would recommend it for all families, not just those with children on the autism spectrum. This book has much to teach us all."
- Dr Dave K. Urion, Director of Behavioral Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital​

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Parenting Without Panic

In Parenting without Panic Brenda Dater provides parents with exactly that. Drawing on her extensive experience as a support group leader and parent of a child on the spectrum, she offers trusted advice and tried-and-tested solutions to parents' top concerns. Covering everything from the first steps to take after diagnosis, to advocacy and disclosure, friendship, behaviour, holidays, homework, building independence, supporting siblings and how parents can look after their own wellbeing, this book is filled wit the voices of other parents in the same situation and extends a vital lifeline of support.

"i love this book! It is well-organised, comprehensive, incredibly helpful, and written in a style that is easy to read and relate to. Brenda Dater's new resource is a gem for families and a must read for educators... This is now one of my top five resources for parents of children on the autism spectrum" - Keri Dunn Buron

Solving Executive Challenges

How can you help kids with autism be flexible, get organised and work towards goals - not just in school but in everyday life? It's all about executive function, and this problem-solving guide helps you explicitly teach these critical skills to high-functioning children with autism (Grades K-8). Used on its own or in tandem with the popular Unstuck and On Target! classroom curriculum, this practical guide shows how to embed executive function instruction in dozens of everyday scenarios, from morning routines to getting homework done.

With dozens of specific examples, sample IEP goals, and scripts and worksheets that break down tasks into manageable chunks, this guidebook helps you give children the skills they need to navigate each day and succeed inside and outside the classroom.

Special Diets for Special Kids

Now even more help with special diets!

More great tasting recipes and tips for implementing special diets to aid in the treatment of autism and related developmental disorders

This helpful sequel to the best-selling book Special Diets for Special Kids is loaded with even more recipes and tips to simplify the use of a special diet to help children and adults with autism. This dietary intervention plan is explained in simple terms with easy-to-follow recipes for over 175 tasty treats, sweets and main dishes!​

How to Be a Superhero Called Self-Control

Meet Self-Control, a superhero who wants to teach young children his super powers of self-control! Anxiety, frustration, anger, and other difficult feelings won't stand a chance against their new-found powers.

Self-Control teaches children with emotional and sensory regulation difficulties aged approximately 4-7 how to calm themselves using self-massage, deep pressure, breathing exercises, and activities such as making an imaginary list and finding their own peaceful place. This illustrated book also features an appendix with photocopiable super power charts, reinforcers, and reminder tools to ensure that parents, teachers, and other professionals can support children in upholding superhero strategies even after the book has been read.

Overcoming Anxiety in Children & Teens

The key to this book is that it outlines both the science and art of anxiety therapy. The science of overcoming anxiety is using the well researched approach called gradual exposure therapy which involves helping individuals gradually face their fears. The art of therapy is figuring out how to actually convince someone to face their fears. Jed describes motivational techniques, cognitive behavioral strategies, exercises, relaxation and mindfulness guides to lower anxiety to the point where individuals can begin to confront their fears . The book covers: simple phobias, social phobia, selective mutism, separation anxiety and school refusal, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, somatic symptom disorder and/or illness anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, perfectionism, and other common fears.